UN Security Council hails Algeria’s efforts for peace in Mali

January 20th, 2017

APS : Thursday, 19 January 2017

NEW YORK-The United Nations Security Council has hailed Algeria’s efforts for the resolution of the crisis in Mali, stressing its commitment to implementing the peace agreement resulting from Algiers.
The UN Security Council Members hailed “the role of Algeria, leader of the international mediation and regional and international players” in the peace process in Mali, expressing “their willingness to closely follow the implementation of the peace agreement,” the UN Security Council in a statement to the press following a briefing on the situation in Mali.
The UN body said it had examined during this information meeting the means to speed up the Algiers agreement implementation including the possibility of imposing targeted sanctions against the parties that deliberately undermine the peace process.
While condemning the attack against a military camp in Gao, which made 50 dead and 60 injured, the UN Security Council called the Malian government, the Coordination of Azawad Movement (CMA) and movement groups to fulfil their commitments and comply with the provisions of the agreement relating the creation of joint patrols and the establishment of authorities.
As regards this issue, Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and African Integration, Abdoulaye Diop told the Security Council the interim authorities will be established in the first quarter of 2017 in all towns where municipal elections did not took place.
Once completed, this operation will allow the administration redeployment and re-establishment of basic social services.
The conducted actions and announced measures reflect the determination of the government to effectively and integrally implement the peace and reconciliation agreement in Mali resulting from the Algiers process, he stressed.
The Malian FM thanked President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika who played “the key role in the restoration of peace in Mali”, highlighting “the sacrifices made by Algeria to restore peace in the region.

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operation Hervé Ladsous announced an imminent high-level meeting of the international mediation led by Algeria.
Speaking before the UN Security Council, Ladsous said he highlighted with Minister of state, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ramtane Lamamra the need for a high-level meeting of the international mediation, which will take place soon.
Speeding up the implementation of the peace agreement in Mali is the only possible mean to stabilize the country, the UN official stressed.